Selling your home during the winter months may be challenging, especially in northern Ohio with frigid temperatures, snow, and fewer daylight hours. However, life events like accepting a job offer may prevent you from moving any other time of the year.
Knowing how to prepare your home to sell in the winter can help. Find our top five tips in this Mercer Savings Bank blog.
1. Focus on Curb Appeal
While you may not have lush landscaping with flowers, shrubs, and other plants, you’ll want to focus on improving curb appeal. Make sure snow is removed from your driveways and walkways to keep everyone safe.
Consider adding subtle holiday lights or winter decor like a lighted reindeer or small tree accompanied by a festive garland or wintry wreath. Keep it simple, as not all buyers will celebrate the season similarly.
2. Add Natural Light
Create a warm, welcoming environment in your home with a lot of natural light. Remove or open window treatments to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on all your lights before a showing in the daytime, then reduce overhead lighting at night and replace it with floor and table lamps.
Consider painting your walls light, neutral colors to appeal to most buyers and to accentuate the space, making your home feel open, airy, and inviting.
3. Create a Cozy Environment
Since it may be cold and gray outside, create a comforting, cozy atmosphere in your home with a fire in your fireplace or soft throw blankets across a sofa or chair. Add decorative pillows to your beds or living room furniture. Make sure the thermostat is set to the right temperature, not too warm or too cold — usually between 68 to 70 degrees.
Similar to your winter outside decor, feel free to add subtle, seasonal decor inside your home. You can also set your dining room table or create a space for a reading nook to help your potential buyers imagine what it’d be like to live there. Playing soft, calming music can also help buyers feel comfortable and relaxed in your home.
4. Show All Seasons of Your Home
Share photos of your home taken throughout the year to showcase different features that may not be visible in the winter. For example, include images of the fall foliage view in your yard or the gardens in full bloom. You can have these photos in your listing and a small photo album or display in your home.
5. Keep Everything Clean
While it doesn’t take long for dirt, snow, and salt to get tracked into your home, you’ll want to do your best to keep your floors clean while your home is on the market. Maintaining a regular housekeeping routine ensures your home is free from dust and clutter.
You may want to hire a cleaning company to do a deep cleaning of your entire home before it’s listed for sale. Then, it should be easier for you to maintain in between showings. Declutter closets, cabinets, and your overall home as much as possible. This will enhance the size of your rooms and help your potential buyers visualize how their furniture would fit in the space.
Explore Mortgage Options at Mercer Savings Bank
Whether you’re ready to upgrade or downsize your next home, Mercer Savings Bank offers a range of home mortgage loan options based on your needs. Use our home mortgage loan calculator to quickly assess loan amounts, interest rates, and mortgage terms.
Visit our website to check interest rates and get information about applying for a loan in person or online.